Improvement in fire-kindlers



U NITEf) STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REASON MONOsMrrH AND THOMAS B. MONOSMITH, 0F MEDINAQOHIO.

IMPROVEMENTWIN FIRE-KINDLERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 215.066, dated May 6, 1879; application filed February 20, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, REASON MONOSMITH and THOMAS B. MoNosMrrH, of Medina, in the county of Medina and State of Ohio,'have invented a certain new and Improved Fire- Kindler; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and complete description of the same. a

This invention consists of an improvement in fire-kindlers, the construction and practical operation I of which are as follows, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, makin g a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 represents a top view of the firekindler. Fig. 2 is a side view, and Fig. 3 is an end view.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several views.

The fire-kindler above alluded to consists of a series of strips of wood, A, arranged in parallel'relation to each other,..with spaces B between them. In the ends of each .of said strips is a notch or gain, wherein is inserted a binder, 0, whereby the several strips A are tied together and retained in their relation and distance to each other, the whole forming an oblong square bundle or package of strips or sticks of wood, with air spaces or the entire series of strips of wood raised clear from the bottom, so much airand flame would be admitted to the underside of the 'kindler as to cause a too rapid consumption of the material to ignite the coal; hence it would fail to accomplish the purpose for which it is designed.

w The notches above alluded to supply the necessary amount of air. Were it not for said notches, and if the kindler were allowed to rest on the bottom of the fire-place, combustion would be too much retarded and the fire liable to smother and go out.

We prefer to cut the notches with a dull tool, and thus give them a rough edge, which the fire will readily take hold of, in this man- .ner avoiding the necessity of sliveri ng or than the article as manufactured or for sale,

or, when occasion demands, into kindlers of less length by separating such portion as may be necessary, since the single cross-tie will keep the slips sufliciently in position--an important advantage which is not possessed by similar kindlers as heretofore manufactured in a quasi arch shape, since the size of such kindlers is fixed by their construction.

From its flat form our kindler is also better adapted for bearing whatever load of fuel may be placed upon it without crushing.

We do not claim, broadly, a series of strips of wood arranged parallel to each other, with spaces between them, and secured together at their ends, with a strip or tie inserted in a notch or gain in the ends of the strips, nor such arrangement of slips having the end strips depressed below the central ones, thereby elevating the central strips above the lower edge of the end ones; but that which distinguishes our invention from others is the flat form in connection with notches or gains in the under edge of the strips cut preferably with rough edges, as hereinbefore shown and described.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In fire-kindlers, an improvement consisting of two or more strips or pieces of wo0d,,A, with gains in the ends thereof to receive the side strips or ties, G, with the edges of said strips or pieces A in the same plane, or nearly so, with one or more gains or notches in the lower edges of said strips, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

REASON MONOSMITH. THOMAS B. MONOSMITH.

Witnesses:

W. H. BURRIDGE, J. H. BURRIDGE. 

